School Connection
Jan. 6, 2005 - Mid-year reviewENROLLMENT NUMBERS TOTAL 114,000 FOR 2004-05
Enrollment numbers submitted by the Wake County Public School System to
the NC Department of Public Instruction for the 20th day of school show
an enrollment of 114,092 students. In the last two years, WCPSS enrollment
has had an influx of 9,600 students: 5,100 students this year and 4,500
students last year. This rapid rate of growth along with the state mandate
to reduce third-grade class size requires additional steps to meet the start
of the 2005 school year. In response to these demands for space, the school
system will add mobile and modular classrooms at schools next year, open
two modular schools and is negotiating to lease space for a third new school
facility. The WCPSS Growth Management Department held a series of meetings
this fall to talk with parents about student assignment and the opening
of Cedar Fork Elementary in Morrisville next year. The Board of Education
has met with County Commissioners to discuss meeting the needs of the growing
student enrollment.
WCPSS SENIORS AVERAGE 1063 ON 2004 SAT
The average SAT score for Wake seniors in 2003-04 was 1063. The average
national score was 1026 and average North Carolina score was 1006. The verbal
scores this year matched the highest ever for Wake County students. This
is the third year in a row that Wake students scored 524 on verbal. Wake
students scored an average of 539 on math after averaging 543 for the past
two years. WCPSS had three schools with average scores over 1100. Enloe
students had an average score of 1153; Green Hope, 1114; and Leesville Road,
1109. This was the first time that Leesville students had an average score
above 1100.
64 WCPSS SCHOOLS NAMED 2004 SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE
The Wake County Public School System had 64 schools named Schools of Excellence
this year, 15 more than last year, according to the results of the 2003-04
state ABCs of Public Education In another first, 22 of Wake County's schools
had ABCs performance composite scores above 95 percent, and 13 of those
22 schools also met the high growth standard. Davis Drive, Green Hope and
Morrisville elementary schools had scores above 98 percent. Brassfield,
Kingswood, Oak Grove and Pleasant Union had scores above 97. Last year 12
schools had ABCs performance composite scores above 95. Heritage Middle
School was named one of the state's Top 25 Most Improved K-8 Schools.
WAKE STUDENTS CONTINUE STRONG PERFORMANCE ON EOG
In the baseline year for Goal 2008, the percent of student scores remained
steady for the state's End-of-Course high school testing and End-of-Grade
elementary and middle school testing. For the second year in a row, nearly
83 percent of Wake County high school students scored at Levels III or IV
on the EOC and 91 percent of Wake County elementary and middle school students
scored at Levels III or IV on the EOG. Four years ago, 75.2 percent of Wake
County high school students scored at Levels III or IV on the EOC and 84.9
percent of elementary and middle school students scored at Levels III or
IV on the EOG. The 2008 Goal approved by the Wake County Board of Education
in November 2003 states that by 2008, 95 percent of students in grades 3
through 12 will be at or above grade level as measured by the State of North
Carolina End-of-Grade or Course tests, and all student groups will demonstrate
high growth.
197 WAKE TEACHERS EARN NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION IN 2004
A record-setting 197 teachers from the Wake County Public School System
earned certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.
The 197 teachers earning National Board certification while teaching in
Wake County public schools were the most of any school district in North
Carolina, which once again led the nation in the number of teachers earning
certification. This brings the total for WCPSS to 820. Among all the nation's
school districts, WCPSS appears to be second in the number of National Board
certified teachers. Based on the National Board's website, only the Los
Angeles, California, Unified School District has more certified teachers.
SEVEN NEW SCHOOLS OPEN FOR 2004
Seven new schools opened for 2004-05, three schools returned to campuses
that underwent major renovations, two high schools opened ninth grade centers,
one school moved to a new campus, and several had major renovation and addition
projects. Knightdale High, Salem Middle and Forestville Road and Highcroft
Drive elementary schools opened this year. Knightdale High opened with ninth-
and 10th-grade students. Salem Middle opened with sixth- through eighth-graders.
The elementary schools opened with students in kindergarten through fifth
grade. Jones Dairy and Turner Creek Road elementary schools and Heritage
Middle School opened as year-round schools July 12. Three schools - Kingswood
and Wake Forest elementary schools and Apex Middle - returned to their renovated
campuses this year. Meanwhile, Northwoods Elementary moved into swing space
this school year while its campus is renovated. Cary High and Green Hope
High have their ninth-graders located at separate campuses this year. The
Cary High ninth-graders are housed at the former East Cary Middle School
campus. The Green Hope ninth-graders are housed at the recently completed
Carpenter Elementary School campus. The ninth-grade centers are there for
the next two school years, allowing time for completion of two new high
schools in western Wake County.
MARES NAMED 2004 PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
The Wake County Public School System named Steve Mares of Joyner Elementary
the 2004 Principal of the Year and Martha Ramsey of Middle Creek High Assistant
Principal of the Year in ceremonies Nov. 18. Mares has been principal of
J.Y. Joyner Center for Spanish Language/International Baccalaureate Primary
Years Programme Magnet Elementary School since 2001. He also served as assistant
principal for three years at Apex and West Lake elementary schools and was
a teacher for three years. Martha Ramsey is assistant principal of Middle
Creek High School. Ramsey helped to open the new high school in 2002. Prior
to that she had served as assistant principal and a science teacher at Garner
Senior High. More than 350 people were on hand to see Mares and Ramsey honored.
He received $1,000, a crystal award and will go on to compete in North Carolina
Regional and State Principal of the Year competitions. Ramsey received $500
and a crystal award.
BOARD REVIEWS PROGRESS TOWARD GOAL 2008
At its August 17 committee of the whole meeting, Board of Education members
heard from Associate Superintendent Jo Baker and Assistant Superintendent
Toni Patterson on progress being made toward Goal 2008.
Baker described an instruction plan of action developed by staff to achieve
the goal and steps taken to share this plan with the board, county commissioners
and other key stakeholder groups. She said budget restrictions for 2004-05
have impacted the ability to implement the plan, but some progress has been
made where staff and resources could be realigned. Some of the steps taken
include:
· Project Achieve added at Fox Road and Weatherstone elementary schools.
· Accelerated Learning Program added at newly opened schools.
· Of the 90 ESL teachers needed, 27.1 teaching positions have been
added.
· Six additional schools will participate in the Partnership for
Educational Success.
· A 3-week early start program for pre-k children was offered during
the summer at Fox Road, Powell, Rand Road, Aversboro and Lockhart elementary
schools.
Some of the steps that could not be funded include:
· Parent leadership development program
· Additional Academically Gifted teachers (WCPSS needed an additional
18 AG teachers this year, but state and local funding provided 3.5 AG teacher
positions.)
· Addition of Instruction Resource Teachers at middle schools'
· Special Education Coordinator to help students transition to high
school
Other action steps would require additional funding, but funding was not
requested in the 2004-05 budget.
Patterson described a Human Resources plan of action developed by staff. She said steps included making salaries competitive, investing in effective training and support delivery systems and creating a teacher career progression to provide advancement opportunities and improved working conditions. She said the WCPSS Teacher Recruitment Center has been established, the online WCPSS applicant success inventory is being used to improve applicant screening, pre-employment orientations are occurring on a regular basis and staff development has been aligned across departments and functions to support a career pathway model for teachers. She said other recruitment/retention efforts depend on the budget.
WCPSS FALL JOB FAIR DRAWS MORE THAN 500 JOBSEEKERS
There was a great turnout Dec. 4 for the 2004 Fall Teacher Job Fair held
at Knightdale High and Forestville Elementary. 574 job seekers registered
at the fair. Deputy Superintendent Del Burns told the Board of Education
at its Dec. 7 meeting that 80 percent of the candidates were from North
Carolina. Burns said there were 23 from New York, the most of any other
state. About one-third of the licensed teachers held masters degrees. Sixty
percent of the candidates were available immediately. The school system
offered 21 early contracts.
WCPSS EARNS OBESITY PREVENTION FEDERAL GRANT
U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige presented WCPSS Superintendent Bill
McNeal with a $1.3 million check representing the 2004 Carol M. White Physical
Education Program (PEP) federal grant to fund physical education programs
in Wake County. Dr. Paige made the presentation during a ceremony at North
Ridge Elementary. Artie Kamiya, WCPSS Administrator for Health and Physical
Education Instruction, said the new PEP grant will encourage student participation
in fitness activities at all grade levels. Kamiya said the three-year grant
will provide four more fitness centers at WCPSS high schools, provide a
range of PE activities for middle school students and create new partnerships
between elementary PE teachers and classroom teachers to interest students
in fitness and nutrition. WCPSS earned the latest PEP grant for its innovative
new obesity prevention program called O.P.R.A.H. - Obesity Prevention through
Research-based Activity and Health. Kamiya said OPRAH will encourage lifelong
physical fitness and nutrition.
WCPSS MAGNET PROGRAM HONORED
The WCPSS Magnet School program was recognized by the U.S. Department of
Education at the Magnet Schools of America Technical Assistance Conference
held in Washington, DC. In its publication, Innovations in Education: Creating
Successful Magnet School Programs, the federal agency identified WCPSS as
one of six school systems with exemplary magnet programs. The WCPSS Magnet
program was recognized because of
· Commitment by district leadership;
· Dedicated magnet program office;
· Strong community partnerships and parental support;
· Socioeconomic status as a key indicator for diversity; and
· Effective marketing, communication and recruitment strategies.
The guide was designed to provide information on starting public magnet
school programs and to encourage parent participation in public magnet school
programs.
USA TODAY HONORS MILLBROOK HIGH TEACHER
USA Today named Millbrook High teacher Lindy Poling one of the 20 teachers
from across the nation on their All-USA Teacher First Team. Poling has been
a history teacher at Millbrook High School since 1984. She has earned honors
in Wake County and across the country for her Community-in-the-Classroom
approach to studying history and her class, Lessons of Vietnam/Recent International
Relations. Poling received a trophy and check for $2,500 for her school.
USA Today recognized teachers for their vision, creativity and ability to
inspire the best in their students. Winners are selected from hundreds of
nominees by two panels of educators. USA Today states that teachers named
to its First Team have the ability to transform students into lifelong learners.
And in educating students, these teachers ultimately improve their communities.
BROUGHTON HIGH MARKS 75TH ANNIVERSARY
Broughton High's 75th Anniversary Celebration is underway. The premier showing
of "Stone by Stone," a documentary of the history of Broughton
produced by Brian Martin, a Broughton teacher and graduate, was a big success!
Approximately 500 people attended the two showings on Oct. 28. Nancy Carty
and some of her art students produced a beautiful calendar in honor of this
special year. At Broughton's Hall of Fame inductions on Oct. 29, the school
welcomed back honorees, their families and friends. The homecoming crowd
was huge and many alumni returned for the barbecue dinner, homecoming football
game, and the reception after the game. At half time the school had a birthday
cake and the audience sang "Happy Birthday to Broughton." Carol
Allen and Tom Hamilton, who are currently teaching at Broughton and who
are also Broughton alumni, serve as co-chairs of the 75th Anniversary Committee
LIGON CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY
Ligon Middle School has celebrated the school's 50th anniversary with a
series of activities that began at the end of October. The school held a
ribbon cutting for the new $7 million art wing Oct. 29. The ceremony featured
performances by student performing arts groups, an Alumni/Student chorus
and Ligon alumni Chuck Davis's African American Dance Ensemble. The school
also displayed pictures and memorabilia from its past 50 years. During half
time ceremonies at the Oct. 27 football game, the school paid tribute to
Pete Williams, Ligon High School's first coach, and honored the school's
former athletes.
School Connection is published electronically every other week for everyone interested in the Wake County Public School System. Is what you read in this edition helpful? What information would you like to see in future editions? Contact me by calling 850-1829 or e-mailing bposton@wcpss.net.
Bill Poston
Wake County Public School System
Communications Department
3600 Wake Forest Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611
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